The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a large shipment of skunk cannabis valued at approximately ₦724.5 million, leading to the arrest of five suspected traffickers.
The State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, revealed the development on Monday while addressing journalists in Benin City. He said the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence, which enabled officers to track and intercept two trucks along the Auchi-Abuja Road.
According to Ofoyeju, the trucks were initially disguised as vehicles transporting legitimate goods but were later discovered to be concealing illicit substances. During a search, operatives found hundreds of bags of processed cannabis hidden beneath cartons of beer.
“A field test confirmed the substance as skunk, a highly potent strain of cannabis,” he stated.
The suspects arrested in connection with the seizure were identified as Ibrahim Abu (29), Abu Abdullazeez (28), Jibril Jaminu (35), Andrew Moses (22), and Ganiyu Abu (21).
Preliminary findings indicate that the consignment originated from Sabongida-Ora in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State and was being transported to Abuja before it was intercepted.
Providing further details, Ofoyeju said one of the trucks, with registration number OYO LUY 172 XC, carried 260 bags of cannabis weighing 3,900 kilograms. The second truck, OYO LUY 281 XC, contained 223 bags weighing 3,345 kilograms. In total, 483 bags of skunk cannabis, weighing 7,245 kilograms, were recovered.
He added that the vehicles used in transporting the drugs would be confiscated, while investigations are ongoing to uncover and dismantle the wider trafficking network.
Ofoyeju emphasized that the operation had prevented the illegal drugs from reaching the public, particularly young people, and warned that Edo State would not serve as a safe route for drug trafficking activities.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying efforts against drug abuse and illicit drug trade across the state.
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